The detective's friend, Taylor, appeared disinclined to
remain; he said:
"I only promised to point out to you the rendezvous.
"Have you done so?"
"Yes."
"I do not know where the landing is made."
"Off yonder point."
"Around in the cove?"
"Yes."
"You can remain with me?"
"No, I cannot."
"Why not?"
"Well, this is no place for strangers; we are in peril every
moment we stay here."
"We are all right, so long as the crew of the 'Nancy' remain
on their boat."
"Not to-night; we are not safe."
"Why not?"
"Because the 'Nancy' is there. Why, sir; we do not know what
moment someone may spring upon us! All their spies are out
and on guard to-night; everything is watched as a cat watches
a mouse-hole!"
"If you leave me, how am I to get over to the mainland?"
Taylor did not make an immediate reply, and the detective
repeated his question.
"I did not think you intended remaining."
"What did you think?"
"I thought you would mark down the bearings and come here in
force."
"But, as I've an opportunity to get the whole business down
fine, I propose to remain."
"Then you will need a boat."
"Yes, I will, surely, in the morning."
"No, sir."
"What are you getting at?"
"I will speak plainly. If you remain here you will never see
the mainland again. I tell you those men are a desperate
lot!"
"But they will not find me."
"The chances are ten to one against you, and that they will
find you. I would not remain here to-night for a hundred
thousand dollars! The danger begins exactly at nightfall."
"You have got it down as fine as that, eh?"
"I have."
"If you take away the boat, you will take from me what chance
I might have for escape."
"You must not remain."
"But I shall!"
"You are determined?"
"I am."
"Very well, I will leave you the boat; by walking about four
miles I can find a way to cross over to the mainland."
"I wish you were a braver man."
"I have a family."
"That settles it!" exclaimed the detective, and he added, "as
you are going away you had better go now."
It was near sundown, and there lay the "Nancy" on the calm
waters of the bay, looking to be as harmless a craft as rested
on a keel.
"Can I not persuade you to go with me?"
"No, sir."
"You cannot fully realize the danger."
"Hang the danger! I've a duty to perform, and I'll stay here
and see that cargo put ashore from the 'Nancy,' even if it
prove the last scene of my life!"
"The chances are that such will prove to be the fact; I warn
you that the danger cannot be denied."
"Well, you had better go if you have four miles to travel
before sundown."
"Have you any messages to leave?"
"None."
"Who am I to report to in case you are never seen alive?"
"You are taking a serious view of it."
"I am; I tell you it's certain death for a stranger to remain
on this island to-night!"
"Suppose the stranger is not discovered, my good friend?"
"You are certain to be discovered. The whole island will be
patrolled."
"You speak like a man who has had some dire experience."
"I would not remain on this island to-night for the fall value
of it in dollars."
"Why do you specify to-night?"
"Oh, any other night it would be all right, but as you know,
it is a business evening to-night, and they will be all on
guard."
"I must take the chances."
"Well, good-bye; I go now."
"Good-bye; I will call and see you to-morrow and pay you your
reward."
"I hope you may, but I never expect to see you again. What I
recommend is that you guide the cutter to this place--"
"I must first know just where to guide them."
"Come here in force, and with all the knowledge you have you
will soon find the right place."
"I will come here in force in good season, but to-night I take
points alone."
"Good-bye."
"All right, good-bye."
Taylor spoke in a very solemn tone, and wore a solemn look
upon his face as he walked away.
The sun was just on the edge of the horizon when our hero
found himself alone.
"Well, well," he muttered, "I have been a lucky man. I've got
this business right down to the right point, and with the
additional information I shall gain I will be king of the
mystery."
The detective was highly delighted with his prospective
success, and with wonderful patience under all the
circumstances, he awaited the approach of night.
From his position on the bluff, he commanded a full view of
the smuggler yacht, and it was with a sweet unction to his
soul that he remembered his words to Denman and his crew: "I
shall see you again!"
He felt that he would come upon the smugglers at the proper
moment, like an apparition fresh from a new-made grave. The
men he knew believed him dead, and he well remembered the
proverbial superstition of sailors, and it struck him that the
time might come when it would stand him in hand to take
advantage of the startling shock that would certainly attend
his reappearance before that murderous crew.
Night fell, and the detective strained his eyes to watch the
movements on board the "Nancy."
The men, as he discovered, were playing their game well; at
the proper hour their lights were set, and all the necessary
precautions taken for a vessel which proposed to lay at anchor
all night in a water way.
The detective was still on the watch, while the hours slowly
glided away until near midnight, when he saw certain movements
on board the boat that warned him she was about to change her
position.
The detective, who had been lying on the grass rose to his
feet, prepared to follow the movements of the "Nancy," when he
was suddenly confronted by an armed man.